The concept of strategic rationality, which Mearsheimer proposed in her latest work, is an approach to better understand the context, limita-tions, and how governments make decisions in the field of foreign policy. Mearsheimer, by introducing this concept, moves beyond general definitions that view rationality merely through cost-benefit calculations, and instead emphasizes its socially embedded and deliberative nature as well as its theoretically grounded foundation. By redefining and elaborating upon this key notion in the study of international relations and international politics, he aims to provide a new theoretical framework for better understanding foreign policy and the decision-making processes of state leaders in the external arena. One of the most important goals of this article is to introduce this theory in Iran by adopting a critical and, of course, practical approach. Accordingly, the main questions are: in what aspects and to what extent is this approach new, independent, and practical, and what lessons does it bring for Iran's political elite? To address these questions, adopting a critical ap-proach, particularly from a psychological perspective and drawing upon concepts such as the “political paradigm” introduced by certain neoclassical realist theorists and “strategic culture” in constructivism, we propose the hypothesis that Mearsheimer’s theory of strategic ration-ality, despite its practical relevance, shares significant similarities with other theoretical approaches including neoclassical realism and con-structivism, and therefore cannot be regarded as entirely innovative. Nevertheless, this theory offers essential and valuable insights for politi-cal elites of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The research method employed is analytical-explanatory, and the nature of the study is fundamental and theoretical.
Keywords: International political psychology, neoclassical realism, strategic rationality, Mearsheimer
 
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Decision-making is a central component in the formulation and execution of foreign policy. Over the years, various theoretical perspectives, including realism, constructivism, and psychological theories, have attempted to explain how foreign policy decisions are made. In this context, the concept of strategic rationality, introduced by John Mearsheimer in his latest work, offers a novel approach to understanding the conditions, constraints, and reasoning processes that shape state behavior.
By advancing this concept, Mearsheimer moves beyond traditional notions of rationality that emphasize cost-benefit analysis, highlighting instead the importance of deliberative processes and the theoretical grounding of rational decisions. His theory presents a new conceptual framework aimed at deepening our understanding of how states operate in the complex arena of international relations.
Mearsheimer’s concept has sparked fresh debate among international relations theorists by proposing a coherent and applicable understanding of rationality. One of the primary objectives of this article is to introduce and critically evaluate this theory within the Iranian academic context. Specifically, the article asks: To what extent is Mearsheimer’s approach genuinely novel, independent, and practical? And what insights can it offer to Iran’s political elites and decision-makers?
To address these questions, we adopt a critical and comparative perspective, particularly through psychological lenses and by referencing related concepts such as policy paradigms in neoclassical realism and strategic culture in constructivist theory. Our hypothesis is that although Mearsheimer’s theory is pragmatic and analytically valuable, it shares significant similarities with pre-existing theories and cannot be considered entirely innovative. Nevertheless, the theory provides essential and timely lessons.This study employs an analytical-explanatory methodology, and its nature is fundamentally theoretical.
Research Questions
This research is guided by two central questions:

1. To what extent is Mearsheimer’s theory of strategic rationality innovative, independent, and applicable in practice?

2. What lessons can this theoretical approach offer to the political elites and decision-makers of the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Research Hypothesis
Drawing from psychological approaches and related concepts—such as the policy paradigm in neoclassical realism and strategic culture in constructivism—we hypothesize that while Mearsheimer’s theory of strategic rationality is practical and theoretically sound, it closely parallels other existing theories. Therefore, it cannot be considered entirely new. Nevertheless, it contains valuable and relevant lessons for Iran’s political leadership, especially given the country’s unique geopolitical and strategic conditions.
Methodology
This study adopts an analytical-explanatory approach and is fundamentally theoretical in nature. By employing key concepts from constructivism and psychology, the research aims to illuminate the similarities between Mearsheimer’s theory and other theoretical frameworks. In the final analysis, the study highlights the strengths of Mearsheimer’s theory and extracts its practical implications for Iran’s political elites.
Results and Discussion
The notion of a policy paradigm, broadly defined, refers not only to the semantic structure of political concepts but also to the decision-making mechanisms grounded in established and collective rationality. Within this framework, Mearsheimer’s concept of strategic rationality can be more clearly understood—particularly when viewed through the lens of theories like neoclassical realism, which are closely associated with foreign policy analysis.
Constructivism, too, shares much with this concept, especially through ideas such as strategic culture. From within these perspectives, two key features emerge that resonate strongly with Mearsheimer’s model: a deliberative (argumentative) approach to decision-making and reliance on theoretically grounded ideas. In constructivist thought, this includes factors such as the culture shaping actor relations, learned behavioral patterns, and the intersubjective construction of identities and interests. Although Mearsheimer’s theory does not represent a completely original or groundbreaking approach, it has been the subject of legitimate criticism. Nonetheless, from a practical standpoint, it makes a significant contribution to foreign policy and security studies. Specifically, it offers substantial insights for Iran’s political leadership.
The most important contribution of Mearsheimer’s concept of strategic rationality lies in its emphasis on understanding the rationale behind various foreign policy strategies adopted by states. It underlines the notion that what may seem irrational from one state's perspective may appear entirely rational to another, based on differing strategic contexts. This awareness can help political leaders avoid misinterpretations and respond more effectively to international developments. Moreover, the theory highlights the risks of policymaking without deliberation or grounding in sound theory. Without these elements, foreign policy is likely to deviate from rational pathways, thereby weakening a state's capacity to protect and advance its national interests within the global power structure. For Iranian political elites, the theory of strategic rationality offers several key lessons:

1. Redefining National Interests and Enhancing Cognitive Flexibility

2. Recognizing the Fluid Nature of Alliances

3. Maximizing the Role of Academic Expertise
 
Conclusion
This article aimed to introduce and critically assess Mearsheimer and Rosato’s theory of strategic rationality. While highlighting its analytical strengths, we also raised psychological and conceptual critiques, particularly focusing on its similarities with other theoretical traditions such as neoclassical realism and constructivism. Although the theory aspires to offer a new framework that downplays internal factors like identity, ideology, emotion, and culture, we argue that it ultimately does not fully succeed in this regard. In practice, the theory reflects significant overlap with existing approaches. Nonetheless, Mearsheimer's framework remains a valuable contribution to the study of foreign policy and rational decision-making. Given Iran's complex position in the international system and the multifaceted threats it faces, scientific and well-informed approaches to foreign policy are essential. Strategic rationality, when properly understood and applied, can serve as a useful tool for Iranian leaders to recalibrate national interests, strengthen decision-making processes, and engage more constructively with the international community.